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 Incorporating
seasonal eating into your lifestyle demands more thought, time,
commitment, and active participation. But you will be rewarded with
more taste, vitality, and well-being. The following tips can help
you make the adjustment.
Start Slow
Making these changes will
not occur overnight. Set reachable goals by incorporating seasonal
food slowly into your meals and shopping.
Be creative and
flexible when cooking
Seasonal cooking can be
an adventure, so don't be afraid to try new things. Learn how to
substitute seasonal foods, such as celeriac root in winter, and
local foods, such as honey or maple syrup instead of cane sugar,
as a way of incorporating new foods in your diet.
Devise a food
plan
Consider when certain foods
appear, time requirements for food processing and preservation,
and monthly or weekly meal planning.
Organize time
for bulk cooking
Plan blocks of time when
you can prepare components of several meals. Freeze extra portions
of sauces, soups, stews, and chilis.
Equip yourself
A food processor saves time
when chopping vegetables, and a mortar and pestle can help with
pestos, chutneys, and salsas. Other indispensible tools include
canning jars, dehydrators, and storage containers.
Store foods in a
timely manner
Heat and light reduce shelf-life
and freshness, so observe proper temperatures for storage and learn
more about food processing.
Don't cook in
the summer, but plan for winter
Soups, stews, and casseroles
are easy to prepare and freeze ahead of time for cold-weather meals.
In the summer, however, crisp salads are readily available and quickly
prepared without heating up the kitchen. To prepare a satisfying
meal, add grains, nuts, or other protein and use whatever vegetables
are handy.
Make a commitment
Purchasing locally-grown
and seasonal foods can benefit the economy, environment, and personal
nutrition in many ways. Buy fewer convenience foods which, in general,
are more expensive, excessively packaged, and less nutritious than
food you can prepare fresh at home.
Patronize businesses
that buy local food
Many area restaurants and
stores buy produce from area farmers sacrificing convenience in
favor of freshness and nutrition.
Develop a connection
to your food
Be conscious of the source
of your food. A good start would be getting to know some of the
vendors at the Farmers Market.
Enjoy
Enjoy the tastes, the relationships you develop
with producers, and the knowledge that you are doing something good
for yourself and the earth.
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